Maybe Vick really is there just “to compete and push Geno Smith to become the very best that he can be,” as offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said in his team-issued statement.

But that also can be roughly translated to “if Geno isn’t ready to lead a playoff team in 2014, we’ll hand the reins to a guy who is.” It’s just a matter of when.

Ryan remains one of the NFL’s finest defensive coaches. His offense last season far too often was a disaster. In eight losses, Smith – the Week 1 starter as a rookie – committed 19 turnovers.

Seven of those came in a three-game skid after the bye, which the Jets had entered at 4-4, coming off a heartening win over the New Orleans Saints. Smith completed 21 passes total in those three games and was benched twice.

His replacement: Matt Simms, who was out of the NFL in 2012. They lacked a legitimate Plan B because Mark Sanchez, whom they cut Friday, got hurt late in a training camp competition that always seemed tilted in Smith’s favor.

They still finished a game back of the last wild-card spot in the AFC, with consecutive wins to close the season that helped Ryan get a contract extension instead of a pink slip. But Ryan surely had to wonder where they might have been with better play at the most important position.

It remains to be seen how the competition shapes up this time, if there is one at all. Growing pains are inevitable for a young QB, and giving Vick the job would sure look like a sign they’re bailing on last year’s second-round pick.

But Vick has experience in Mornhinweg’s offense and something left physically, when he’s able to stay healthy. He’s the logical guy for the role he’s in now: a fallback whenever Ryan needs it, which could be sooner than later.